Tape-measure.



F. BUCK.

TAPE MEASURE.

DEC x9 APPLICA l A914- v 1,170,956.. Patpnted Feb. 8,1916.

I yZ/ynf/y ro@ UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE FREI) BUCK, OF

l TAPE-MEASURE.

T0 all whom' it may concern: Y

gan, haveV invented a new and'useful Improvement in Tape-Measureaofwhich'the following is a specification, thel principle 'of the inventionbeing herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplatedapplying that principle, so. 'as-to distinguish it fromother inventions.f

The present Vimprovementsr relate in general to tape measures and -inparticular to that type of tapes which are formed of steel, or otherbreakable material, and are housed in a case. In this style of tapesconsiderable difficulty has been experienced from breakage of the tapeproper, and in about three fourths of such casesthe 'break Ahasloccurred at a point an inchv or twoy from the free end of the tape,being causedby a slight unwinding-of the tape'when carried in the pocketof the user which results in breakage if struck against some outsideobject or if bent excessively when the tape is withdrawn from thepocket.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide means fornormally I maintaining the tape within the casing, suchl means beingalso designed to permit of easy manipulation by an operator when it isdesired to unwind the tape.

Tothe accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out inthe claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detailcertain mech- Y anism embodying the invention, such disclosed meansconstituting, however, but one of lvarious mechanical forms in which theprinciple of the invention may be used.

lIn said annexed drawing Figure -1 is a side elevation of a tape measurein which are embodied my present improvements, being sectioned adjacentto the slot through which` the tape passes; Fig. 2 is a view'similar toFig. 1 but showing the tape end raised to permit of unwinding, and Fig.3 is a perspective view of the frame or throatvwhich is mounted in thecasing and bounds the slot.\

In Fig. l there is shown acasing 1 ofthe usual form provided internallywith a winding element 2 which may be operated by the usual pivotedhandle mounted externally of SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, ASSI -Specication o'fLetters Patent.

Application filed Dedember 19, 1914. seria; No. $78,051..'

v GNOR To l'r-IIE LUI'KIN RULECOMPANY, or SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, AeoRPoRATIoN'oF IvIIeHIGAN."`

Patented Feb, s, 191e;

4the casing.` 'Iher'ca'singk is also'provided with aperipheralslot LthroughA which the free end'of'a tape 5 passes, the tape being attach'ed'atits other end to the lwinding kele- The `peripheral .slot Asisbounded by a metal frame or' throat` @which isset "into the casing `andisprovided adjacent to one end vwith a roller 7 forlholding the tape 5against the opposite end of the throat, )A preferred form of the meansywhich. I employ for maintaining'the tapel within the casing when wound,consists of cooperative meansvmountedy on the casing and on the freeend'of the tape and adapted tofautomaticall'y Vengage when the tape iswound in,y Such means consists ofa recess 10 formed in the downwardlyAor inwardly projectingilange jof the throat Vin whichY there is adaptedtol en- 'gage a latch in the Vform of a button@ at'- tached to the underside ofthe tape adjacent to'theendvl `v Upon winding inthe tape the sameis brought entirely withinl theslot and therefore within the casing withthe exception of the hook or finger hole 9 attached to the free end ofthe tape, such hook 9 being broader than thev slot and therebypreventing the end of the tape from being wound into thecasing. Theresiliency of the tape and the position of the roller 7 causes the tapeto lie againstvthe opposite end of the throat and thus any outwardmovement of the tape will cause the button 8 to engage in the recess 10in the throat, thus looking the tape in itsvwound up' position. The

4manner in which an o-perator can release vefectually maintain the tapewithin the casing until released by the user and in thisk way eliminatethe causeof three fourths of the breaks which have been so frequent' inthe past. The addition of these or similar means to a tape adds butslightly to the cost and in no way limits the usefulness of the tape orthe simplicity and easeof manipulation.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be lemployedinstead of the one explained, change'bein'g made as re-v gards themechanism hereinvdisclosed, provided the means stated by any of theyfollowing claims or the equivalent of such4 Vstated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention.1. In a tape measure, the combination With a lcasing having -a Windingelement therein and having also a peripheral slotv ingvof the samethrough such slot.

2. In a tape measure, the combination With a casing having a Windingelement therein and having also a peripheral .slot

for the passage of the tape, of a resilient tape attached at one end tosaid Winding element and having its other end .extending through suchslot, a guide normally main-- taining said tape against one end of suchsaid slot, and coperative means mounted on the free end'of saidtape andon said casing adj acentto such end of suoli slot, said means beingadapted to prevent the free end of tape from f accidental movementthrough and beyond such slot after said tape has been Wound in.

3. In a tape measure, the combination With a casing having a Windingelement therein and having also a peripheral slot for the passage of thetape, and a tape attached at one end tosaid Winding element and havingits other end extending through such slot, of a frame set into saidcasing about the edgesof such slot, and having a recess in one edgeadjacent to the path of movement ofsaid tape, and a button mounted uponthe under `side of the free end of said tape and adapted to beautomatically engaged in such recess upon the Winding in of said tapeand thereby preventing accidental outward movement lof said tape throughand beyond such slot.

Signed by me, this 16th day of December, 1914.

FRED BUCK.

Attested by* vS. B. MoGrEny R. T. WALLACE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained "for fivecentSeaCh, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

"Washington, D. IOL n

